It’s quite likely that you have never heard of the natural supplement Huperzine A, but it is an alkaloid that was discovered many years ago in the Huperzia Serrata plant in China. I bring it to your attention because Huperzine A shows proven effects on raising brain levels of the memory chemical (neurotransmitter) acetylcholine and it has been used successfully in a number of studies to improve early-stage Alzheimer’s disease – by reversing early-stage memory loss problems and improving cognition. The most recent human study was published in 2019, which included 50 Alzheimer’s patients and 50 healthy individuals. Prior to Huperzine A supplementation the Alzheimer’s patients showed deficits in cognition and task switching ability compared to healthy individuals. After just 8-weeks of Huperzine A supplementation the Alzheimer’s patients showed significant improvement in cognition and task switching abilities. https://journals.lww.com/jcma/fulltext/2019/01000/huperzine_a_response_to_cognitive_impairment_and.8.aspx

This is not the first study to show these kinds of impressive results in memory loss patients.  A large study published in 2002, involving 202 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, who were treated at 15 different health centre locations, showed that the patients given 400 mcg per day of Huperzine for 12-weeks realized significant improvement in cognitive test scores compared to the placebo group.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12181083/  In 2009 a review of all available Huperzine A studies was published in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy journal. The researchers stated that data suggest that Huperzine A may improve cognition within an 8-12-week period with objective improvements of 1-5 points on the Mini-Mental State Examination. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19240260/ In 2022 a review of all Huperzine A studies involving animal trials was published in the International Journal of Molecular Science. The researchers showed that Huperzine A not only slows down the breakdown of the memory chemical acetylcholine (by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase) but it also stimulates acetylcholine synthesis (by stimulating the enzyme choline acetyltransferase).Animal studies also show that Huperzine A improved memory performance using maze testing and it decreased beta-amyloid plaque build-up in the brain of these animals.  https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/23/15238  Other studies have shown additional neuroprotective effects of Huperzine A, such as protecting the brain against various toxins including organophosphates (which are insecticides with known brain-damaging effects) and reducing glutamate-induced brain cell death, as often occurs with head trauma and related concussion injuries. https://oce.ovid.com/article/00006489-200306000-00020  Other impressive neuroprotective effects of Huperzine A were published in the journal Trends in Pharmacological Sciences in 2006, which include boosting brain antioxidant protection, reducing brain cell death (apoptosis) and regulating the secretion of nerve growth factor (NGF) and NGF-signalling.  https://www.cell.com/trends/pharmacological-sciences/abstract/S0165-6147(06)00247-1?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0165614706002471%3Fshowall%3Dtrue

These are all important physiological effects that slow brain aging and reduce risk of memory loss. On balance, we known that once ingested Huperzine A easily crosses the blood-brain-barrier and enters brain cells. Once inside brain cells Huperzine A can help to increase levels of the memory chemical acetylcholine, which is critically important to patients with early memory loss problems. And Huperzine A also shows other impressive neuroprotective effects linked to Alzheimer’s disease prevention. I believe that it is a good idea for most people over the age of 55 to take a memory support supplement each day that contains:

Huperzine A
CDP-Choline
Phosphatidylserine
Bacopa Monnieri

These four natural agents work together to help support memory function as the brain ages, and each of these ingredients has been shown to reverse memory loss and cognitive deficits in patients with mild cognitive impairment and other early -stage dementias, including Alzheimer’s disease. I think that when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, prevention is a key component and this supplement combination, along with other brain support measures, should be a strong consideration for anyone 55 years of age or older in my view.

I have included the main Huperzine A references in the text below.

References:

Amara G et al. Huperzine-A response to cognitive impairment and task switching deficits in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of the Chinese Medical Association. 2019, 82(1): 40-43. https://journals.lww.com/jcma/fulltext/2019/01000/huperzine_a_response_to_cognitive_impairment_and.8.aspx

Zhang Z. et al. Clinical efficacy and safety of huperzine Alpha in treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial. 2002, 82(14): 941-944. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12181083/

Desilets A.R. et al. Role of huperzine A in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Ann Pharmacother. 2009, 43(3): 514-518. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19240260/

Yan Ye-Pioa et al. Disease-modifying activity of huperzine A on Alzheimer’s disease: Evidence from preclinical studies on rodent models. Int J Mole Sci. 2022, 23(23): 15238. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/23/15238

Eat Smart, Live Well, Look Great,
Dr. Meschino